Fosbury Flop Youth Coaching Guidelines
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Prepared by Gary Bourne and Peter Hannan
his document has been prepared with the assistance of
coaches, teachers, parents and administrators. There have
Gary Bourne and Peter Hannan to provide guidelines
been cases of coaches holding a firm coaching philosophy on
for Accredited Athletics Coaches on the appropriate
the best way to map an athlete’s High Jump progression, only
age to introduce the Fosbury Flop to young athletes.
to be overruled by a school or parent who have prioritised
The guidelines are designed to provide a safe training and
introducing the flop at an earlier age to prepare young athletes for a junior competition.
competition environment that best supports the athletes’ long-term development.
It is hoped that this article will be the first step for establishing defined coaching guidelines for when and how to introduce
There is currently a lack of consistency across the country
the Fosbury Flop to young athletes and that it will support
on the ideal age to introduce athletes to the Fosbury Flop,
accredited athletics coaches to follow the most effective long-
which has resulted in some confusion and anxiety between
term strategy for high jump success.
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